Activity Report

2019-2020

Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

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Contents

Visit by the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda and Lady Sandra Williams

Certification of Bills prior to Royal Assent

75th Anniversary of D-Day Commemorations with

Her Excellency the Governor General

55th Anniversary of the National Flag

Foreword 3

Mission, Mandate & Corporate Objectives 4

Introduction 5

Roles and Duties 6

Overall Activity Level 8

Promoting Nova Scotia 12

Preserving Government House 13

Milestone Events for 2019-20 13

Provincial & Federal Expenditures 14

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Foreword

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Dear Friends,

As Her Honour and I mark the halfway point in my time as Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, I am pleased to provide this annual accounting of my official activities for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The last year has afforded Her Honour and I the pleasure of participating in more than 322 events at Government House and throughout the province.

As the ceremonial home of all Nova Scotians, I am delighted to note that more than 14,000 visitors came to the historic residence for tours or to attend events. In particular, I was honored to host a number of events that commemorated milestone anniversaries. In June 2019 we marked the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings during the Second World War. I was also happy to host a ceremony with the Dutch Ambassador to Canada and students from Armbrae Academy in which we planted tulip bulbs marking the 75th Anniversary of the start of the military campaign to liberate the Netherlands. As in previous years, we held flag raising ceremonies and receptions to mark National Acadian Day, Treaty Day and the International Francophonie Day.

At Government House, we held 143 events, including diplomatic courtesy calls with Commonwealth and foreign representatives, investitures, awards ceremonies, volunteer recognition receptions, and a dinner to honour the 2019 Order of Nova Scotia appointees. I was also pleased to swear in the new Chief Justice of Nova Scotia Michael J. Wood. At the Annual Garden Party in June 2019, we marked the 50th anniversary of Official Bilingualism in Canada. We were also delighted to host a Pink Tea to celebrate the “Famous Five” and the 90th anniversary of the “Persons Case”.

Her Honour and I were pleased to attend many events and ceremonies around Nova Scotia. These included several events for African Heritage Month including the launch and the unveiling of a postage stamp. We were also impressed by what we saw when we visited the Maritime Brain Tissue Bank and the homeless shelters Metro Turning Point and Frank MacKay House.

Our interaction with the Canadian Armed Forces and the various protective services in Nova Scotia continues to be one of my priorities. Her Honour and I attended the departure on deployment and arrival from deployment ceremonies for several of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships. Additionally, I have been honored to invest members of the protective services with various Exemplary Service Medals and attend the annual Nova Scotia Fallen Police Officers’ Memorial Service in October 2019.

The end of the fiscal year was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and this resulted in the cancellation of all public activities in the interest of public safety. I have been very impressed with the people in the public and private sectors who were compelled to continue working to ensure that all Nova Scotians were safe, healthy and had access to the basic necessities. We greatly appreciate their dedication and commitment.

Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC Lieutenant Governor

Launch of African Heritage Month 2020

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MISSION STATEMENT

To serve, support and maintain with excellence, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

and Government House.

MANDATE

To support the constitutional and symbolic role of the Lieutenant Governor as The Queen of Canada’s representative in Nova Scotia,

and to maintain and enrich the traditions and heritage of Government House Halifax as the centre of official hospitality for the province and its people.

Visit to the Maritime Brain Tissue Bank

Reception in Honour of Queen Elizabeth II Scholars

Liberation of the Netherlands Tulip Planting

Corporate Objectives

The corporate objectives of the Office of the

Lieutenant Governor reflect six goals central to the

mandate of the Lieutenant Governor:

• Constitutional/Legal

• Crown-Indigenous Relations

• Ceremonial

• Community Engagement

• Promoting Nova Scotia

• Preserving Government House

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Introduction

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor/

Government House supports the Lieutenant

Governor in fulfilling his constitutional, state and

ceremonial responsibilities. The Constitution Act

1867, provides that there must be a Lieutenant

Governor of Nova Scotia who is appointed in the

name of the Sovereign by the Governor General

on advice of the Prime Minister. As the

representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,

Queen of Canada, who is Head of State, the

Lieutenant Governor, His Honour the Honourable

Arthur J. LeBlanc, is authorized and required to

execute all matters that pertain to his office

according to law and constitutional convention.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor/

Government House provides administrative and

logistical support enabling the Lieutenant

Governor to exercise the constitutional powers

and responsibilities of the Office and to undertake

representational, ceremonial and civic duties. The

autonomous nature of the Office is consistent with

the Lieutenant Governor’s role to function with

political neutrality. The Office also supports the

Administrator of the Province who acts in the

place of the Lieutenant Governor when the

Lieutenant Governor is unavailable.

Additionally, the Office is responsible for planning

and implementing the Lieutenant Governor’s

programme, awards, patronages and many other

activities undertaken with, and on behalf of, Nova

Scotians in communities across the province.

To help Nova Scotians and visitors understand the

role and responsibilities of the Lieutenant

Governor, the Office offers a “general tour”

programme along with a “talk & tour” program at

the Lieutenant Governor’s official residence,

Government House in Halifax.

The administrative element of the Office of the

Lieutenant Governor/Government House reports

through the Department of Intergovernmental

Affairs and receives its funding from an annual

appropriation as part of the same department. As

part of the Department of Intergovernmental

Affairs, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor/

Government House is committed to accounting for

activities and expenditures. Support for the

physical plant, systems and infrastructure of

Government House is provided through the

Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

Renewal.

The Office works closely with the provincial

departments, Government of Canada, Mi’kmaq

leaders, Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian

Mounted Police, Halifax Regional Police, Cape

Breton Regional Police Service, New Glasgow

Regional Police, Department of Canadian

Heritage and numerous non-governmental

organizations over which the Lieutenant Governor

presides as Patron or Honorary Patron.

By enabling the Lieutenant Governor to exercise

his constitutional authorities and responsibilities

and to undertake duties as the representative of

the Head of State, the Office of the Lieutenant

Governor directly contributes to maintaining a

stable and effective government.

Treaty Day with Grand Chief and Mrs. Sylliboy

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Roles and Duties of the Lieutenant Governor

Constitutional/Legal

The Lieutenant Governor granted Royal Assent to 51 bills and presided over three Royal Assent ceremonies.

In addition to these duties, the Lieutenant Governor and Administrator signed 369 Orders-in-Council and

eleven Proclamations. The Lieutenant Governor also signed and had sealed 113 notary public appointment

commissions for the Department of Justice. There was no Speech from the Throne Ceremony/Opening of the

Legislature in the fiscal year.

The Lieutenant Governor presided over one swearing in ceremony of the Executive Council, organized by

Government House in cooperation with the Executive Council Office.

Crown-Indigenous Relations

In addition to hosting a ceremonial flag raising of the Mi’kmaq flag at Government House, that was followed

by a reception, the Lieutenant Governor participated in four main events held on Treaty Day.

His Honour was pleased to co-host a ceremony to launch the Nova Scotia Archives’ Online Resource of the

Donald Marshall Jr. Royal Commission Archives. Work with Mi’kmaq leaders has also commenced to have a

Government House Eagle Feather dedicated by Treaty Day 2020.

Swearing in of Michael J. Wood as Chief Justice of Nova Scotia and as Administrator of the Province

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Ceremonial

At Government House, the Lieutenant Governor

hosted 143 in-house events. His Honour presided

over nine investitures for various Canadian

honours: Order of St. John, Order of Nova Scotia,

Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, RCMP Long

Service Medal, Police Exemplary Service Medal,

Coast Guard Exemplary Service Medal, Corrections

Exemplary Service Medal, Peace Officer

Exemplary Service Medal, Emergency Medical

Services Exemplary Service Medal, Service,

Service Medal of the Order of St. John and Corps of

Commissionaires Long Service Medal).

A total of 114 citizens were invested with national

and provincial honours over the course of the year,

and were accompanied by 541 guests.

On 7 November 2019, His Honour was pleased to

present the A.G. Huntsman Award for Excellence in

the Marine Sciences on behalf of the Royal Society

of Canada, and he presented the Duke of

Edinburgh Gold Awards on 2 December 2019.

Each year the Lieutenant Governor presides over

citizenship swearing-in ceremonies where new

Canadians take their oath of citizenship.

Order of Nova Scotia Investiture

Meeting with the new Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy

Talk and Tour with Armbrae Academy

Presentation of the Huntsman Award

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Overall Activity Level

The various activities undertaken by the Lieutenant Governor are divided into five separate categories, along

with speeches which are delivered at many events. Constitutional Duties, consist of such events as the

Speech from the Throne, meetings with the Premier, Executive Council Officials and signing orders-in

council, statutory and non-statutory instruments. In-House Events, consists of receptions, dinners,

investitures, performances, presentations, meetings, and ceremonies held at Government House which are

presided over by the Lieutenant Governor. External Events Hosted by Government House, consist of events

presided over by the Lieutenant Governor which are organized and arranged by the Office of the Lieutenant

Governor but which are held at an outside venue such as the presentation of the Lieutenant Governor’s

Education Medals and the Lieutenant Governor’s Respectful Citizenship Award. External Events Organized

by Government House but not attended by the Lieutenant Governor, relate to tours and other events.

Table 1.1. Overall Activity Level

*Only includes activities undertaken by Lieutenant Governor LeBlanc since being sworn into office on 28 June 2017.

Event Type 1 April - 31 March 2019-20

1 April - 31 March 2017-18*

1 April - 31 March 2018-19

Constitutional Duties 75 73 81

In-House Events 102 78 111

External Events Hosted by Government House

5 2 5

External Events 179 134 164

Events organized by Government House but not attended by the Lieutenant Governor

36 21 45

TOTAL EVENTS 397 308 406

Community Engagement

In addition to internal Government House

events, the Lieutenant Governor presided over

three investitures outside of Government

House; one in partnership with the Protocol

Office for the Order of Nova Scotia and two

other external investitures in cooperation with

the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and

Bridgewater Fire Department Band

respectively. The Lieutenant Governor

undertook 179 external events over the course

of the fiscal year and delivered 139 speeches. Their Honours hosting the annual New Year’s Levée

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Certificate Programme

The Lieutenant Governor’s Commemorative Certificate Programme which recognizes milestone birthdays,

wedding anniversaries and military retirements resulted in 720 certificates being produced and mailed. This

total was slightly lower than the previously fiscal year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a disruption in the

provision of information by partner organizations.

Table 1.3 Certificate Programme

Event Commemorated 1 April - 31 March 2019-20

1 April - 31 March 2017-18

1 April - 31 March 2018-19

Milestone Birthdays 392 490 379

Wedding Anniversaries 217 345 265

Military Retirement 111 131 141

TOTAL 720 966 785

Speeches

Over the course of the year the Lieutenant Governor delivered 139 speeches and in addition to this, 19 press

releases were issued and 57 special statements were published on the Lieutenant Governor’s website and

other social media platforms that include Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Instagram. The number of speeches

was slightly lower than in the previous fiscal year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation

of all the Lieutenant Governor’s public engagements; nevertheless, as a result of the pandemic a renewed

focus has been placed on the Lieutenant Governor’s YouTube channel.

Table 1.2 Speeches delivered

*Only includes activities undertaken by Lieutenant Governor LeBlanc since being sworn into office on 28 June 2017.

Event Type 1 April - 31 March 2018-19

1 April - 31 March 2017-18*

1 April - 31 March 2019-20

Speeches delivered 145 103 139

His Honour addressing the African Heritage Month Stamp Unveiling

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Continuing Public Access

For the eighth year, in addition to periodic tours booked by members of the general public, Government

House was open during the summer months of July and August for half-hourly guided tours of the main floor

state rooms. The programme runs each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A total of 3,833 visitors from

Nova Scotia, every province and territory in Canada and 44 different countries toured Government House as

part of the summer tour programme. Tour guides are shared with Province House, as part of a cost sharing

arrangement.

Throughout the July/August summer tour programme, the Canadian Armed Forces’ 5th Canadian Division

provided sentries who paraded during each tour day, as part of the Sentry Programme, which was

inaugurated in 2012. The sentries, drawn from CAF reserve units from throughout the province, provide a

changing of the guard accompanied by a bagpiper, every hour during the day.

Table 1.4 Summer Tour Programme Visitors

Outside of the summer months, Government House was open for tours booked by school groups, civic

organizations (Scouts, Guides and Cadets) and seniors’ organizations.

Summer 2018

Summer 2017

Summer 2016

Summer 2015

Summer 2014

Summer 2019

Visitors 3,794 3,569 2,992 2,967 2,274 3,833

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Ceremony

Welcoming home HMCS HALIFAX following its 6 month deployment with NATO

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Overall, including events such as Nocturne: Art at Night, the annual Garden Party, New Year’s Day Levée

and other events hosted by the Lieutenant Governor at Government House, approximately 14,000 people

visited the historic residence. Outside of the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Lieutenant Governor made

official visits to numerous locations in Nova Scotia including: Antigonish, Chapel Island, Eskasoni First

Nation, Glace Bay, Louisbourg, Port Hawkesbury, Port Williams, Sainte Anne, Sydney and Yarmouth.

Outside of the Province, His Honour attended a number of events in New Brunswick, notably the state

funeral for the Honourable Jocelyn

Roy-Vienneau and the installation

of her successor the Honourable

Brenda Murphy as Lieutenant

Governor of New Brunswick.

Volunteer Service

The cadre of 30 Honorary Aides-de-Camp, comprised of members of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army,

Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Halifax Regional Police, Cape Breton Regional

Police Service and New Glasgow Regional Police, volunteered 1,722 hours aiding the Lieutenant Governor in

discharging his duties throughout Nova Scotia. This is the equivalent of 2 FTEs. In January 2020, as part of their

ongoing professional development, the Aides-de-Camp undertook cultural sensitivity training when they received

briefings from Indigenous Elder Deborah Eisan and Iman Abdallah Yousri from Ummah Mosque in Halifax.

Unveiling of portrait of BGen the Honourable J.J. Grant

Unveiling of the portrait of Brigadier-General the Honourable

J.J. Grant, 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

Evenings@Government House

presentation by Dr. Afua Cooper

Honorary Aides-de-Camp at the Annual Garden Party

Elder Eisan conducting AdeC training

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Promoting Nova Scotia

Aside from national and provincial honours, the Lieutenant Governor recognizes excellence in a diverse array of

fields through the various Lieutenant Governor’s Awards.

Table 1.5 Lieutenant Governor’s Awards Conferred

*Not presented in the respective Fiscal Year.

A policy of serving Nova Scotian produce, fish and meat (when seasonally available), was instituted for

functions at Government House in 2011 and continues to be in place. Since 2009, all wine served has been

Nova Scotian in origin. Winning wines that have received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in

Award Partner No. Bestowed 2018-19

No. Bestowed 2017-18

No. Bestowed 2019-20

LG’s Education Medal Department of Education 166 154 146

LG’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration

Institute of Public Administration Canada

3 3 3

LG’s Award for Design in Architecture

Nova Scotia Association of Architects

8 7 *

LG’s Award for Excellence in Engineering

Engineers Nova Scotia 4 4 3

LG Award for Conservation Nova Scotia Salmon Trust 1 1 1

LG’s Nova Scotia Talent Trust Award

Nova Scotia Talent Trust 8 8 8

LG’s Greenwing Award Ducks Unlimited 1 1 *

LG’s Prêt à écrire! Award Canadian Parents for French 1 1 *

LG’s Masterworks Arts Award

Arts Award Foundation 6 6 5

LG’s Community Spirit Award

Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage

4 4 4

LG’s Person with Disabilities Employer Partnership Awards

Collaborative Partnership Net-work

6 7 *

LG’s Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines

Winery Association of Nova Scotia, Taste of Nova Scotia

4 3 4

LG’s Respectful Citizenship Award

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

93 * 78

LG’s Award for Culinary Excellence

Nova Scotia Community College

6 n/a n/a

Courtesy Call with the Swiss Ambassador Visit to Metro Turning Point

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Preserving Government House

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal managed repairs to the stone façade of

Government House along with routine maintenance and repairs to the building and Carriage House.

The Government House Crown Collection saw three major pieces added:

1) a portrait of former Lieutenant Governor Brigadier-General the Honourable J.J. Grant, CM, CMM, ONS

CD, which was donated through funds subscribed by his family and former staff;

2) Donation of a mahogany desk formerly owned by Lieutenant Governor Victor de B. Oland, from

Commander Richard Oland;

3) Purchase at auction of a pair of signed presentation portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall & York

(the future King George V and Queen Mary) which were presented to a Nova Scotian during the 1901

Royal Tour.

Milestone Events for 2019-20

The Lieutenant Governor undertook nine courtesy calls or meetings with Commonwealth and foreign representatives. The Lieutenant Governor also swore in the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, the Honourable Michael J. Wood.

As The Queen’s representative and on behalf of all Nova Scotians, the Lieutenant Governor was also present at 286 events hosted by a wide range of cultural, sporting, civic, heritage, military and volunteer communities. Some of the highlights included:

• Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings with the Governor General

• Christmas Tree decorating by members of the l’Arche community and Support Services Group

• Visit by the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda

• Presentation of the A.G. Huntsman Award for the Marine Sciences

• Launch of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Culinary Excellence

• Closing ceremonies of the International Acadian World Congress, Dieppe New Brunswick

• Reception in honour of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute

• Pink Tea

• Fête national de l’Acadie Flag Raising

• Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Ceremony

• One Citizenship Swearing in Ceremony

• Treaty Day Flag Raising and Reception

• 150th anniversary of the Princess Louise Fusiliers

• Visit to the Maritime Brain Tissue Bank

• Celtic Colours Festival

• Remembrance Day

In cooperation with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, in 2019, His Honour presented the

Lieutenant Governor’s Community Spirit award to four communities; Glace Bay, Petite Rivière, Port Williams

and Potlotek First Nation. As part of a lonterm parternship with the Department of Education and Early

Childhood Development, during May, the Lieutenant Governor presented the Lieutenant Governor’s Education

Medals at three ceremonies; one at Government House for the Counseil scolaire acadien provincial schools,

one organized by Government House at the Halifax Central Library for Nova Scotia’s mainland schools and

the final ceremony was held in Port Hawkesbury for the Cape Breton schools.

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Provincial Budget

The budget is voted by the House of Assembly as a line in the budget of the Department of

Intergovernmental Affairs. This budget covers the operation of the Lieutenant Governor’s programme,

salaries for the Household Staff, security services and the operational expenses associated with the Office of

the Lieutenant Governor. The salaries and benefits portion cover the salaries for the 9.5 FTE staff, while the

cost for security services (a Commissionaire on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 365 days a year) is

covered under the Supplies and Services category.

Table 1.5 Provincial Budget Expenditures

Federal Budget

Since 1867, the salary of the Lieutenant Governor has been covered by the Federal Government. In addition

to this, since 1951, the Federal Government has granted funds to help cover certain costs incurred by the

Office of the Lieutenant Governor in the discharging of the Lieutenant Governor’s official duties. These funds

are granted through a lump sum payment known as a named grant to the Lieutenant Governor. The funds

are administered on the Lieutenant Governor’s behalf by the Private Secretary/Executive Director. Since the

2004-2005 fiscal year, the Department of Canadian Heritage has provided $64,199 annually in funding

towards supporting the role of the Crown in the province. This amount has remained constant and is not

indexed or linked to the CPI or annual inflation rate. These funds are used to cover certain expenses that are

not covered by funding granted by the province. Expenditures are divided into three categories; Travel/

Accommodation, Hospitality and Operational/Administrative Expenses.

The travel category is used to cover

expenses related to the Lieutenant

Governor’s official travel outside of Halifax to

attend events; this includes the Lieutenant

Governor’s attendance at the annual

conference of the Governor General,

Lieutenant Governors and Territorial

Commissioners. This category is also used to

cover travel and accommodation expenses

incurred by the driver and the Honorary Aide-

de-Camp who accompany the Lieutenant

Governor to official events.

2018-19 2017-18 2019-20

Salaries & Benefits 653,614 667,063 664,877

Supplies & Services 289,167 221,610 305,018

Other 24,573 13,472 11,796

Recoverable from other departments (1,484) (9,632) (363)

TOTAL 971,755 894,555 981,329

78th Highlanders Freedom of the City Parade

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The hospitality category covers funds spent on foodstuffs and beverages served at official functions held by

the Lieutenant Governor – either at Government House or at other venues where an official event is being

hosted by the Lieutenant Governor. The Operational/Administrative category covers expenses such as

official gifts, musicians for events, hourly stipends for casual stewards who work at formal dinners.

Table 1.6 Federal Named Grant Expenditures

*the fiscal year 2017/18 included the travel and accommodation for the Lieutenant Governor, his wife and Private Secretary to visit the United Kingdom for an audience with HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales.

2018-19 2017-18 2019-20

Travel/Accommodation 11,847 23,597* 16,824

Hospitality 27,268 25.029 24,400

Operational/Administrative 25,083 14,285 22,974

TOTAL 64,199 62,901 64,199

COVID-19 Pandemic

The declaration by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020, that the CORVID-19 virus had become a

pandemic resulted in the curtailing of the Lieutenant Governor’s schedule to include only events of a legal/

constitutional nature. On 13 March it was decided to cancel all of the Lieutenant Governor’s engagements, both

inside Government House and events with external organizations.

In cooperation with the Executive Council Office, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s pandemic business

continuity plan was implemented on 16 March to ensure the continued ability of the Lieutenant Governor to

discharge his legal and constitutional duties. Between 13 March and the end of the 2019-20 fiscal year on 31

March, a total of four external and three internal events were cancelled – resulting in approximately 230 fewer

visitors to Government House; this included two Evenings@Government House presentations, an event with

veterans and one event with the African Nova Scotian community. Nevertheless, on 20 March in honour of

International Francophonie Day, the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. LeBlanc presided over a ceremonial flag

raising which was widely circulated on electronic media – in the absence of the traditional ceremony and

reception which is held at Government House annually.

Courtesy Call with the United Nations

Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Unveiling of the Consular Corps License Plate

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Launch of Cadet Week at Province House

© Her Majesty The Queen in Right of the Province of Nova Scotia as represented by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, 2020.

This report was prepared by the Private Secre-

tary to the Lieutenant Governor, Christopher

McCreery, MVO, with the assistance of

Communications Advisor, Craig Walkington,

MSM, CD.

VISIT US

https://lt.gov.ns.ca

Reception in Honour of the 75ht Anniversary of D-Day

Annual Garden Party